JPH0723941A - X-ray ct device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form a frame of an X-ray CT device compact and light to be extremely useful as the one to be mounted on a vehicle by disposing a power source device to supply a high voltage to an X-ray tube, and a slip ring to connect the power source device to the X-ray device electrically on the outer side of the frame. CONSTITUTION:A high voltage is generated by a power source device 8, and it is supplied to a fixed side brush 7 of a slip ring unit 13 to be supplied to a rotary side ring 6. The high voltage supplied to the rotary side ring 6 is supplied through a cable 5a to an X-ray tube 2, and an X-ray is radiated to be supplied through an unillustrated testee to an unillustrated detector. In the meanwhile, driving force from a rotary motor 4 reaches the X-ray tube 2 through a rotary base 3 and a bearing 4 to rotate the X-ray tube 2 and a link 5. Rotation of the link 5 is transmitted to the rotary side ring 6 of the slip ring unit 13 to rotate the rotary side ring 6. The rotary side ring 6 rotates while receiving supply of the high voltage from the fixed side brush 7.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a miniaturized X-ray CT apparatus which is used for medical examinations and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an X-ray tube for irradiating a subject with X-rays and a detector located behind the subject are paired and rotated around the subject, and an output is sent to the detector by a computer. There is an X-ray CT apparatus that is processed and used for medical examination.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional X-ray CT apparatus. FIG. 9 is a front view of FIG. In the figure, 81 is a subject such as a patient, 82 is a gantry on which an X-ray tube 84 and a detector 85 are mounted, 83 is provided in the center of the gantry 82, and the subject 81 is “moved” and inserted into the gantry 82. Is an insertion opening, 83a is an inner peripheral portion of the insertion opening 83, and 83b is an outer peripheral portion of the insertion opening 83. In addition, the X-ray tube 84 and the detector 8
5 are arranged to face each other.

Next, the operation will be described. Subject 8
When 1 moves and is inserted into the insertion port 83, the X-ray tube 84 and the detector 85 rotate around the subject 81. X
The X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 84 to the subject 81 are the subject 81.
Is detected by the detector 85, and the output of the detector 85 is processed by a computer (not shown). Then, the output from the computer is supplied to a display (not shown),
The processing result is displayed on the display.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of the upper half showing an example of a conventional X-ray CT apparatus. In the figure, 101 is an X-ray C
T device stand, 102 is an X provided on the stand 101
The reference numeral 103 is a line tube, and 103 is a pedestal 101 where a subject such as a patient is not shown.
The insertion opening 103a is an inner peripheral portion of the insertion opening 103, 103b is an outer peripheral portion of the insertion opening 103, and 106 is a rotation for supplying a high voltage to the X-ray tube 102 and rotating together with the X-ray tube 102. Side slip ring, 104 is a fixed side brush that contacts the rotating side slip ring 106 and supplies the high voltage, 105 is a power supply device that generates a high voltage to be supplied to the X-ray tube 102 through the fixed side brush 104,
109 is a bearing for rotating the X-ray tube 102,
110 is the X-ray tube 102 and the rotating brush 106,
A rotary base that moves when the driving force of the motor 109 is transmitted, and a fixed base 108 that supports the rotary base 110.

Next, the operation will be described. A high voltage is generated by the power supply device 105, and the high voltage is supplied to the fixed brush 104. The high voltage supplied to the fixed brush 104 is supplied to the rotating slip ring 106, and the high voltage supplied to the rotating brush 106 is supplied to the X-ray tube 102. X-rays are radiated from the X-ray tube 102 due to the supply of the high voltage, and the X-rays are transmitted through a subject (not shown) and supplied to a detector (not shown). On the other hand, the driving force of a rotation motor (not shown) is transmitted to the X-ray tube 102 via the rotation base 110 and the bearing 109, and the X-ray tube 102 and the rotation brush 106 rotate with respect to the fixed base 108. As described above, the X-ray tube 10
The rotating beam 2 emits X-rays toward a detector (not shown), and the output from the detector is processed by a computer (not shown). Then, the output from the computer is supplied to a display device (not shown), and the processing result is displayed on the display device.

[0007]

However, in such a conventional continuous rotation type X-ray CT apparatus, since the slip ring is built in the pedestal, there is a limit to downsizing the pedestal, and a narrow room is required. Does not fit in, does not fit on a patrol car, even if it does appear on a car, the car will become large,
There were restrictions for group examinations and vehicle installations such as not being able to enter narrow alleys. Further, since the pedestal is large, it is one of the reasons for making the cost expensive, which hinders the spread of the X-ray CT apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes the gantry smaller than ever so that it can be easily used for group examinations and vehicle installations, and can be installed in a small room and installed in a small or medium hospital. The purpose is to be able to carry it into a large hospital without remodeling the room. In addition, the present invention reduces the cost, and hospitals that could not have an X-ray CT apparatus until now,
The purpose is to disseminate in hospitals where the number could not be increased. Furthermore, the present invention shortens the time until consultation,
It aims to contribute to early detection of lung cancer, etc. by shortening reservations and waiting times, expanding the patrol range of examination cars, improving the consultation rate.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention of the present application comprises an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector, which are arranged to face each other and are movable in an arc shape, inside a gantry, and In an X-ray CT apparatus for irradiating a placed subject with X-rays to capture a CT image, a power supply apparatus that is disposed outside the gantry and that generates a high voltage to be supplied to the X-ray tube, A slip ring unit disposed outside the gantry and electrically connecting the movable X-ray tube and the power supply device;
Is characterized by having.

The second invention of the present application is, in the first invention, provided with a link for connecting the X-ray tube and the slip ring to transmit the movement of the X-ray tube to the slip ring. Characterize.

The third invention of the present application is the same as the second invention,
The link is provided with a telescopic portion that expands and contracts according to a change in a distance between the gantry and the slip ring.

A fourth invention of the present application is the same as the first invention,
The rotary brush side of the slip ring is provided with a drive unit that rotates in synchronization with the rotation speed of the X-ray tube.

[0013]

According to the present invention constructed as described above, the power supply device for supplying a high voltage to the X-ray tube, and the slip ring for electrically connecting the power supply device and the X-ray tube are mounted. Is disposed outside the. Therefore, the gantry can be made smaller and lighter, which is extremely useful as, for example, an in-vehicle X-ray CT apparatus.

Further, the rotation radius can be reduced by disposing the slip ring outside the gantry. That is,
When the slip ring is installed inside the gantry, a radius larger than that of the dome is required, but when it is installed outside the gantry, it is not necessary and the slip ring can be miniaturized. become.

Also, the rotary brush side of the slip ring is X
If the wire is forcibly rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the wire, it is not necessary to link the slip ring and the X-ray tube, and the flexible cable can be used for connection.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the upper half of an X-ray CT apparatus in one embodiment according to the method of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a gantry on which an X-ray tube 2 is mounted, 2 is an X-ray tube that radiates X-rays and is movable, and 3 is an X-ray tube 2 that is mounted and drives a rotation motor (not shown) as a drive unit. A rotary base that is movable by transmitting force, a bearing 4 that allows the rotary base 3 and the fixed base 3a to rotate freely, and 3a is a fixed base that supports the rotary base 3,
Reference numeral 5 is a link for connecting the rotation base 3 and the rotation side ring 6 of the slip ring unit 13 to transmit the movement of the X-ray tube 2 to the slip ring unit 13. Reference numeral 5a is provided outside the X-ray tube 2 and the mount 1. A cable that connects the rotating ring 6 of the slip ring unit 13 and supplies a high voltage to the X-ray tube 2. The 6 contacts the fixed brush 7 to rotate and the high voltage is supplied from the fixed brush 7. A rotating ring, 7 is a fixed brush to which a high voltage is supplied from a power supply device 8 provided outside the gantry 1, 8 is a power supply device that generates a high voltage,
Reference numeral 9 denotes an insertion opening (a dome) which is provided in the center of the gantry 1 and into which an unillustrated subject is inserted. 10 is an inner peripheral portion of the insertion opening 9, 11 is an outer peripheral portion of the insertion opening 9, and 12 is an insertion opening 9. A protective cover, which is provided outside the device and protects a subject (not shown) from the link 5 and the cable 5a, is a slip ring unit 13 including a rotating brush 6 and a stationary brush 7.

Next, the operation will be described. When a subject (not shown) is moved and inserted into the insertion port 9, the X-ray tube 2 rotates around the subject. The X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 2 to the subject pass through the subject and are detected by a detector (not shown), and the output of the detector is processed by a computer (not shown). Then, the output from the computer is supplied to a display device (not shown), and the processing result is displayed on the display device. On the other hand, a high voltage is generated by the power supply device 8, and the high voltage is supplied to the fixed brush 7 of the slip ring unit 13. The high voltage supplied to the fixed brush 7 is supplied to the rotating ring 6, and the high voltage supplied to the rotating ring 6 is supplied to the X-ray tube 2 through the cable 5a. X-rays are radiated from the X-ray tube 2 by the supply of the high voltage, and the X-rays are transmitted through a subject (not shown) and supplied to a detector (not shown). Further, the driving force from the rotary motor 4 is transmitted to the X-ray tube 2 via the rotation base 3 and the bearing 4, and the X-ray tube 2 and the ring 5 rotate. The rotation of the link 5 is performed by the slip ring unit 1
3 is transmitted to the rotation side ring 6, and the rotation side ring 6 rotates. The rotating ring 6 is supplied with a high voltage from the fixed brush 7 while rotating. The fixed brush 7 is supplied with the high voltage generated by the power supply device 8. Since the link 5 and the cable 5a rotate at high speed,
The protective cover 12 protects a subject (not shown).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the slip ring unit 13 and the power supply device 8 are delivered to the outside of the pedestal 1, the pedestal can be made smaller than the conventional one, and the slip ring can be further reduced. The diameter of can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a case where the present invention is mounted on a medical examination vehicle. In the figure, 21 is a bed on which a subject (not shown) is placed, 22 is an insertion opening into which the subject is inserted, and 23.
Is a stand for an X-ray CT apparatus having the insertion port 22 at the center,
24 is a link connected to the mount 23, and 25 is a link 24
A reference numeral 26 is a slip ring unit connected as a slip ring, 26 is an operating room for operating the X-ray CT apparatus, 27 is a driver's seat for driving a medical examination vehicle 28, and 28 is a medical examination vehicle on which the X-ray CT apparatus is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 2, since the pedestal 23 can be made smaller than the conventional one, it can be mounted on a vehicle smaller than the conventional one.

Example 2. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a case where a link is provided with a stretchable portion. The figure (a) shows the case where there is no expansion-contraction part, and the figure (b) shows the case where there is an expansion-contraction part. In the figure, 31 is a bed, 32 is a top plate which is provided on the bed 31 and which “moves” the subject 33 in parallel, 34 is an insertion port into which the subject 33 is inserted, and 35 is the insertion port 34 in the center. A mount of the X-ray CT apparatus provided, 36 is a link connected to the mount 35, 37 is a slip ring unit as a slip ring connected to the link 36, 38 is a protective cover for protecting the subject 33 from the link 36, 31a Sleeper 31
A top plate that is provided on top of and mounts the subject 33, 35a is a platform on which the platform 35 is "moved" in parallel to the position of the subject 33,
Reference numeral 36a denotes an expansion / contraction portion that is provided between the gantry 35 and the link 36 and that expands and contracts as the gantry 35 "moves".

As described above, when the link 36 is combined with the bed 31, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the depth T2 when the pedestal 35 is “moved” is larger than the depth T1 when the pedestal 3 is “moved”.
Can be smaller.

Example 3. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a case where the X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention is moved vertically, and FIG. 5 is a side view with respect to FIG. In the figure, 41 is a gantry of the X-ray CT apparatus, 42 is a protective cover provided under the gantry 41 to protect a subject (not shown), and 43 is a chair installed in the center of the protective cover 42 to hold the subject. , 44 is a console for operating the X-ray CT apparatus, 45 is an operation room in which the console 44 is installed, 46 is a waiting room for waiting the subject, 47
Is an imaging room where an X-ray CT device is installed, and 48 is an examination car 49
Is a driver's seat for driving a medical examination vehicle, and 49 is a medical examination vehicle that carries an X-ray CT apparatus and moves.

With the above structure, the subject stands by in the waiting room 46 and sits on the chair 43 at the time of photographing. Next, the X-ray CT apparatus is operated by the console 44, the gantry 41 is moved downward, the subject is inserted, and imaging is started.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing details of the gantry of FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a side view thereof. In the figure, 61 is "rotation"
A motor for driving the pedestal 69, 62 a belt and a sprocket for transmitting the "rotation" to the vertical driving lead screw 63, and 63 a "rotation" by the belt and the sprocket 62 for vertically moving the pedestal 69 up and down. It is a drive lead screw. The vertical drive lead screw 63 is threaded and provided at four corners of the pedestal 69, and the four corners rotate in synchronization. 63a is a lead nut that connects the pedestal 69 and the vertical drive lead screw 63, 64 is an X-ray detector that is provided in the pedestal 69 and faces the X-ray tube 66,
Reference numeral 65 is a subject protection cover for protecting the subject 67, and 65a.
Is a subject protection cover door that allows the subject 67 to move in and out of the subject protection cover 65, 66 is an X-ray tube that is provided on the mount 69 and emits X-rays toward the X-ray detector 64, and 67 is imaged. The subject, 68 is a chair holding the subject 67, 69
Is a mount of the X-ray CT apparatus, 71 is an insertion port through which the subject 67 is inserted into the mount 69, 72 is a fixed side ring of the slip ring unit 74 which is supplied with a high voltage from a power supply device (not shown), and 73 is a fixed side brush. The rotating ring of the slip ring unit 74 that receives a high voltage from the rotating ring, 74 is a slip ring unit configured by the fixed brush 72 contacting the rotating ring 73, and 75 is connected to the rotating brush 73 and is an X-ray. A link for transmitting the rotation of the pipe 66.

Next, the operation will be described. When the motor 61 “rotates”, the “rotation” is transmitted to the vertical drive lead screw 63 via the belt and the sprocket 62. This causes the vertical drive lead screws 63 at the four corners to “rotate” in synchronization, and the pedestal 69 “moves” downward along the vertical drive lead screws 63 in accordance with the “rotation”. When the gantry 69 reaches a predetermined position of the subject 67, the X-ray tube 66 and the X-ray detector 64 rotate around the subject 67. At the same time, the X-ray tube 66 emits X-rays toward the X-ray detector 64, and the X-rays transmitted through the subject 67 are detected by the X-ray detector 64. The detection output from the X-ray detector 64 is processed by a computer (not shown) and displayed on a display (not shown).

In this way, the frame 69 can be made smaller and lighter in the third embodiment as well.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the rotary driving unit of the X-ray tube and the rotary brush of the slip ring are connected by the link to transmit the rotary motion. If a drive device that can rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the pipe is used, it is not necessary to connect by a link using a rigid material.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the power supply device for supplying electric power to the X-ray tube and the slip ring for electrically connecting the X-ray tube and the power supply device are arranged outside the gantry, the gantry can be reduced in size and weight. . Therefore, it is extremely useful, for example, when used as a vehicle.

Further, by making the link connecting the slip ring and the X-ray tube elastic, it is possible to save space in the depth direction.

Further, the rotation side ring of the slip ring is X
By rotating the X-ray tube in synchronization with the rotation of the X-ray tube, it is not necessary to use a link made of a rigid material for the connection between the slip ring and the rotary drive unit of the X-ray tube.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an X-ray CT apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a case where the X-ray CT apparatus of FIG. 2 is mounted on a medical examination vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a plane of Example 3 of the X-ray CT apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a detailed plane near the gantry of FIG.

7 is a side view showing a detailed side surface near the gantry of FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a section of an example of a conventional X-ray CT apparatus.

9 is a front view showing the front of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing a detailed cross section near the gantry of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 (23, 35, 35a, 41, 69, 82, 101)
Frame 2 (66, 84, 102) X-ray tube 4 (109) Motor 5 (24, 36, 75) Link 5a Cable 8 (105) Power supply device 13 (74, 107) Slip ring 25 (37) Slip ring unit 36a Elastic part

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yasushi Maruyama 1385-1 Shimoishigami, Otawara-shi, Tochigi Stock company Toshiba Nasu factory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An X-ray tube and an X-ray detector, which are arranged so as to face each other and are movable in an arc shape, are provided in a gantry, and a CT image is captured by irradiating an object placed on a dome of the gantry with X-rays. X-ray C
In the T-apparatus, a power supply device that is disposed outside the gantry and that generates a high voltage to be supplied to the X-ray tube, and an electric power supply device that is disposed outside the gantry and that moves the X-ray tube and the power supply device are electrically connected to each other. An X-ray CT apparatus comprising: a slip ring that is electrically connected. 2. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a link that connects the X-ray tube and the slip ring and transmits the movement of the X-ray tube to the slip ring. 3. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the link includes an expanding / contracting portion that expands / contracts in accordance with a change in a distance between the mount and the slip ring. 4. The rotating brush side of the slip ring,
The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drive unit that rotates in synchronization with a rotation speed of the X-ray tube.